Keshav Maharaj takes five wickets as Somerset stall against Yorkshire

The South African spinner claimed five for 54 as the title contenders struggled.

Yorkshire spinner Keshav Maharaj proved the scourge of Somerset again with five for 54 on the opening day of the Specsavers County Championship Division One match at Taunton.

The South African helped dismiss the hosts for 199 with only Tom Abell (66) and Jamie Overton (40 not out) showing any resistance.

Somerset, chasing a first-ever County Championship title, did fight back in the final session and dismissed Gary Ballance for 35 late on to leave Yorkshire on 70 for three.

Essex also found life tough and could only restrict hosts Warwickshire to 269 for three at Edgbaston with Simon Harmer the only bowler to enjoy success on his way to three for 67.

England hopeful Dominic Sibley provided a solid platform with 51 at the top of the order before Sam Hain (77 no) and Matthew Lamb (69 no) joined forces to put Warwickshire in a strong position.

Darren Stevens scored 88 as Kent made 304 against Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge with able support from Heino Kuhn (56) and Daniel Bell-Drummond (45).

Ravi Ashwin took his tally of county wickets to 27 from just four championship appearances as he finished with four for 121. Nottinghamshire finished on 35 for two in reply.

Ollie Pope pushed his case to be a part of England’s winter Test plans with a half-century as Surrey and Hampshire traded blows at the Ageas Bowl.

Pope scored 68 for Surrey from a total of 143 for seven in reply to 149 all out for Hampshire as Rikki Clarke took five for 21.

A century from captain Billy Godleman ensured Derbyshire posted something approaching a competitive score against promotion-chasing Lancashire in Division Two.

Godleman’s 20th first-class ton was the runaway highlight of a scrappy innings from the visitors at Old Trafford, who were bowled out for a below-par 244. The hosts were 20 for one at the close following the loss of Alex Davies.

Michael Hogan and Timm Van Der Gugten established a position of strength with the ball for promotion-chasing Glamorgan away to Worcestershire.

Hogan claimed four for 53 and Van Der Gugten three for 44 as Worcestershire were bowled out for 205 with Rikki Wessels top-scoring on 45. Glamorgan were 44 for two at the close.

Opener Hassan Azad passed 1,000 championship runs for the season as Leicestershire made 276 for eight against Northamptonshire at the County Ground.

Azad made 86, sharing a partnership of 122 for the third wicket with Mark Cosgrove (65), with Luke Procter taking three for 43 for the visitors.

James Bracey stood out from the crowd as Gloucestershire’s batsmen found the going tough against Sussex at Bristol.

The 22-year-old left-hander top-scored with 61 as Gloucestershire were bowled out for 200. Sussex reached the close on 73 without loss.

Ben Raine took three for 12 as Middlesex were reduced to 87 for seven against Durham at Lord’s.

Former England bowler Steven Finn had earlier claimed four for 41 as Durham were bowled out for 147.